Renowned political and technology experts to deliver insider analysis and future-focused perspectives for supplement industry leaders
AUGUST 26, 2025
WASHINGTON —The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), the leading trade association for the dietary supplement and functional food industry, today announced keynote speakers for CONVERGENCE ‘25, and session topics that are part of its signature events taking place Oct. 8–10 at the Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis. Details are available at www.crnusa.org/2025events.
Addressing some of the most thought-provoking topics of the day—navigating the news cycle and the intersection of healthcare and technology—CRN is pleased to present Jim VandeHei, co-founder of Axios and POLITICO, and Daniel Kraft, M.D., physician-scientist and founder of NextMed Health.
“Jim VandeHei and Daniel Kraft offer the kind of perspectives that will equip leaders to see beyond today’s headlines and topline technology soundbites,” said CRN President & CEO Steve Mister. “From understanding political shifts in Washington—and how to navigate them—to game-changing advances in how technology will impact healthcare and nutrition, their sessions will help attendees think strategically about the forces shaping both our operating environment and long-term opportunities.”
Navigating the News Cycle
VandeHei, one of the nation’s most respected political analysts and media entrepreneurs, will provide a candid insider’s view of Washington’s shifting power dynamics during this time of rapid change and 24-hour news cycles. He’ll unpack the current political landscape, highlight key players and issues driving the national conversation, and share what supplement industry professionals need to know to anticipate how policy debates will impact the health and wellness business landscape.
The Intersection of Healthcare and Technology
Dr. Kraft, a Stanford- and Harvard-trained physician-scientist, entrepreneur, and globally recognized thought leader on the future of health, will explore how exponential technologies—from AI and augmented/virtual reality to genomics and digital health—are transforming the way healthcare is delivered. He will connect these innovations to opportunities for nutrition and wellness leaders, showing how their integration is reshaping the business of health.
Additional sessions to explore third-party evaluators, tariffs, consumer patterns and more
Other sessions at CONVERGENCE ‘25 will examine the growing influence third-party evaluation of supplements is having on consumer perceptions, take a deep dive into consumer attitudes and purchasing behavior, explore the impact of tariffs and trade policy on the supplement marketplace, and present conversations with regulators. The crowd favorite, “Views from the Corner Office,” will return with intimate interviews of three industry CEOs.
CONVERGENCE ‘25 takes place Oct. 9 and 10, with a kick-off welcome reception the night before, as well as CRN’s Science in Session, presenting a deep dive into bioactives for human nutrition, and WellComms, delivering actionable strategies for brand storytelling and media impact, for education and networking Oct. 8, followed by the complimentary Innovation Exchange showcase of cutting-edge ingredients and technologies. Registration options are available for CRN members and non-members.
About CRN: The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), founded in 1973, is a Washington, D.C.-based trade association representing 180+ dietary supplement and functional food manufacturers, ingredient suppliers, and companies providing services to those manufacturers and suppliers. In addition to complying with a host of federal and state regulations governing dietary supplements and food in the areas of manufacturing, marketing, quality control and safety, our manufacturer and supplier members also agree to adhere to additional voluntary guidelines as well as to CRN’s Code of Ethics. Follow us on LinkedIn and X @CRN_Supplements.